To promote scientific research, pharmaceutical innovation and the young talent of its graduates, UNAM, together with UNAM Foundation and the Mexican Pharmaceutical Council (CFM) awarded for the fifth time the Prize for Pharmaceutical Innovation, an award that distinguishes nine graduates of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
The call was open since June 2020 and had to be delayed due to the pandemic. While today in a face-to-face ceremony the awards were delivered.
Receipt of works
The call received 44 theses from the areas of Physical-Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, as well as Biological, Chemical and Health Sciences from UNAM, integrated into 17 undergraduate, 13 master’s and 14 doctorate works.
In this regard, the director of the Faculty of Medicine, German Fajardo Dolci, pointed out that: “if we want this country to walk, we must be aware and ensure that what you have done with your tutors does not remain in a publication or in another protocol, but rather, with the support of the CFM and UNAM Foundation, in a continuum, and can go from the idea to innovation and development ”.
He told the winners that they are an example of what the University is, a supportive institution, close to the population, scientific and committed to collective health, for which he urged them to continue working together for the future of health to everybody.
In turn, the president of the UNAM Foundation Board of Directors, Dionisio Meade and García de León, affirmed that these types of awards are a source of encouragement that will allow them to deepen their interest in research and scientific progress.
It is only a beginning for those who have knowledge and today, in a different way, with the accreditation of this recognition they can advance in a better way and with greater solidity in their research and learning processes.
In his opportunity, the president of the CFM, Jaime López de Silanes, wished the winners that it was the beginning of a fruitful career and stressed that this organization has seven national laboratories.
“We distinguish ourselves by our focus on innovation. We represent around 15 percent of the private market and we have a lot of interest in promoting innovation, understanding it as one that brings benefits to society, the entrepreneur and those who participate in the chain that makes it possible for this product to reach the market ”.
In the country, efforts should be made to bring the entrepreneur together with the regulator, universities, hospitals, lawyers, investment funds and the pharmaceutical industry. I believe that the success of the novelty depends on all these actors being able to be together.
Winners’ names
The winners of the first places in the three categories were: Elena Cornejo Santiago, undergraduate; Sofía Nieves Casillas Popova, master’s degree; Israel González Méndez, PhD.
The second and third place in undergraduate degrees went to Mónica Citlalli Guadarrama Acevedo and Raisa Alejandra Mendoza Flores; and Rebeca Salinas Cortés, respectively.
In master’s degree the second position corresponded to Luis Fernando Bravo Duque; and Ramón Andrés Pineda Álvarez, the third. In doctorate, Sergio Alberto Bernal Chávez achieved second place, and Ángel de Jesús Jiménez Chávez third.
On behalf of the winners, Cornejo Santiago expressed that the award has significant and profound value for the winners, whose work can only be understood by adding individual and collaborative efforts.
It should be noted that the winning theses addressed issues of development of molecules, processes, formulations or routes of administration to improve the treatment of the main ailments of the Mexican population.